Apparatus for and method of making valve spring retainer locks



Oct. 5, 1937. o. R. scHoENRocK 2,094,850

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING VALVE SPRING RETAINER LOCKS Filed May3l, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l o. R. SCHOENROCK Oct. 5, 1937.

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD F MAKING VALVE SPRING RETAINER LOCKS Filed May51. 1935 4 sheets-sheet 2 NNN.

H.. :1YR

Q im@ 1937- o. R.' scHoENRocK i 2,094,850

Oct. 5

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD oF MAKING VALVE SPRING RETAINER` lLocxs 4sheets-sheetf 5 Filed May 31, 1955 year 7 0 o?? 5c @eff/ack Oct. 5,1937. I o. R. scHoENRo'cK 2,094,850

APPARATUS FOR AND METHODV OF MAKING VALVE SPRING RETAINER LOCKS FiledMay 31. 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @1F Cf/a E@ 229 ENKEL-1?' DE Z50 0,570coefffoc/f.

Patented Oct. 5, 1937 um'rsn lSTATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATS FORANDMETHOD OF MAKING VALVE SPRING RETAINER LOCKS Application May 31, 1935,Serial No. 24,352

27 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for and a method of making valvespring retainer locks.

Such locks have been previously made from strip metal by a series of diestamping, trimming and severing operations. My present method alsostarts with strip metal but employs different steps and involves notrimming operations.

According to my invention, rolled strip stock is passed through a pairof feed and forming rolls to bend the strip into segmental cylindricalform. The thus formed strip of metal is then severed to form blanks ofthe same length as the nished locks, or substantially so. These blanksare neXt subjected to a die forming operation in which they are upset toform the collars that constitute the valve spring retainer locks. Fromsegmental cylindrical form, the blanks are upset to provide a segmentalfrusto-conical outer Wall, leaving the inner Wall segmental cylindrical.

If desired, beads may be formed on the inner surface during theupsetting operation. The beads serv-e, as is well known, to position thecollars about the grooved stem of the valve, while the frusto-conicalouter walls function to wedgingly engage with and lock the valve springretainer plate or flange in place.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus forand a method of maki ing valve spring retainer locks in a relativelysimp-le and economical manner and with no loss of metal from trimmingoperations.

t is a further object of. this invention to provide in a singleapparatus the necessary mechanisms properly synchronized, to form, severand upset metal blanks from rolled strip stock to make valve springretainer locks.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the specication and the accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine em bodying the principles of myinvention.

Figure 2`is a side elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line III- III of. Fig. 2, with parts in elevation.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially Jn the line IV-IV ofFig. 3, with parts in elevation.

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line V-V of Fig.47 with parts in elevation,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line VI--VI ofFig. 4, with parts in elevation.

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the die formingmechanism, With parts in elevation and with parts dotted in to show theoperation.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line VIII-VIIIof Fig. 3.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail View of the cutting mechanism.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail sectional View of one of the die blocks.

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail elevational view of the plunger or postassociated with the die block of Fig. 10.

Figure 12is a series of views in section and in elevation of. the stripmaterial and the blank and collar formed therefrom.

Figure 13 is a detail elevational view of a modined form of plunger orpost for forming a valve spring retainer lock with cooperating beads toposition the locks on the grooved stems of valves.

Figure 14 is an end elevational view of a collar formed with beads onthe mechanism of Fig. 13.

As shown on the drawings:

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 2E) indicates generallythe frame structure of a machine for making valve spring retainer locksembodying the principles of my invention. Said frame may be supportedupon suitable supports or legs 2|. A main driving shaft 22 is mounted inthe frame 20 transversely thereof at one end and projects through abearing box 23 bolted, as by means of bolts 24 to the side of the frame.Said shaft 22 is adapted to be driven from any suitable source of power(not shown).

The shaft 22 carries a gear 25, which is keyed thereon and is positionedwithin a cut away portion 26 of said frame 2Q. Said gear 25 meshes witha second gear 21 -mounted upon a countershaft 28 which is also journaledin the frame 24B. At the rear of the frame, the shaft 28 is providedwith a disk 29 carrying an eccentric pin 33. An eccentric arm 3l isconnected to said pin 30 and also to a pin 32 forming a part of the feedand forming roll mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral33.

Said feed and forming mechanism 33 comprises (Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive) apair of4 rolls 34 and 35 mounted upon shafts 36 and 31, respectively, tolie in the same horizontal plane. The shaft 36 is provided with areduced cylindrical end portion 36a, on which is loosely mounted aClutch member 38, from which extends a boss 39 carrying the headed pin32. Said clutch member 38 is provided with an inwardly extending annularflange 48 that projects into a recessed plate 4| constituting the othercooperating clutch member.

The construction of the clutch comprising the members 38 and 4| is bestshown in Fig. 5, wherein the plate 4| is shown as provided withangularly shaped peripheral recesses 42, of which there may suitably befour in number. In each one of said recesses 42 is positioned a ball orroller 43, against which normally bears a spring pressed plunger 44.Each plunger 44 extends into a recess 45, provided for the purpose, inthe bottom of which is positioned a spring 48. The tendency of eachspring 48 is to force the corresponding plunger 44 constantly againstthe cooperating ball or roller 43 to urge the same into wedgingengagement between the inner cylindrical wall of the flange 48 and aplane Wall 4l of the recess 42.

By this arrangement of clutch elements, the

oscillating movement imparted to the clutch member 38 through theeccentric pin 38, eccentric arm 3| and headed pin 32, is translated intointermittent movement of the clutch member 4| in one direction only.This direction, as will be later pointed out, is the direction necessaryto cause the feeding of strip material, indicated at 48,V between thecooperating feed and forming rollers 34 and 35. It will be noted thatthe clutch member 4| is secured to the reduced end 36a of the shaft 38by means of a key 49. Said shaft 38 is provided with an enlargedintermediate cylindrical portion 59 that is journaled in one side 5| ofa casing 52 suitably supported, as by bolts 52a (Fig. l), from the mainframe 28. The other end of the shaft 38 is also reduced as at 53 and isjournaled in a plate 54 secured in the casing 52. A cover plate 55closes the lower side of the casing 52.

A gear 56, fixed upon the reduced end 53 of the shaft 36 by means of akey 5l, meshes with another gear 58 keyed upon the reduced end 59 of theshaft 31. Said reduced end 59 is mounted in a tiltable bearing 59,tilting action being provided by a pair of opposed studs 8| and 82 (Fig.6) that extend into recesses 53 and 84 formed in sai'd bearing 88. Thebearing 68 is thus tiltable about the cylindrical ends of the studs 8|and 82. Clearances 85 (Fig. 4) are provided between the outer wall ofthe bearing and the wall of the casing 52 at portions intermediate thepositions of the studs 6| and 62. The purpose of the tilting movementjust described is to permit forming pressure to be exerted by the feedand forming roll 35 against its cooperating roll 34. Such pressure issupplied by means of a coiled spring 8l (Fig. 4) positioned within arecess 88 in the casing 52 and adapted to exert a compressive forceagainst a bearing 59 for the other end of the shaft 3l. Said bearing89is provided with clearances 58 to permit its movement in the directionof the force of the spring 87. The amount of this compressive force maybe controlled by means of a screw 'l0 threaded through a plate llsecured to said casing 52. Said screw 'i8 carries at its inner end amovable head 12 that bears against the spring El. A lock nut 13 holdsthe screw 'i8 in its adjusted position. The forming pressure between therolls 35 and 34 is thus controlled by adjustment of the screw '|0. Y

Since the forming roll 35 is secured upon the shaft 31, as by means of akey 74, said forming roll 35 is caused to rotate at the same peripheralspeed as the forming roll 34 by reason of the train of gears 55 and 58.

The forming roll 34 is provided with a convex peripheral surface 'I5which is substantially semicircular in cross section (Fig. 4) and whichis bounded on each side with cylindrical surfaces 16 and l1. The formingroll 35 is complementarily formed with a concave peripheral surface '18and adjoining Cylindrical surfaces i9 and 80.

The roll 34 thus constitutes the male, and the roll 35 the femaleforming element.

YAs the metal strip 48 passes between said rolls 34 and 35, it is bentinto segmental cylindrical form, as indicated at 8|. A cylindrical tube82 (Fig. 3) serves to guide the segmental cylindrical strip 8| afterleaving the forming rolls 34 and 35 into the position at which it issevered into blanks. The tube 82 extends into a casting 83 forming anintegral part of the frame 28 and terminates at the bottom of a recess84 provided in such casting.

Said recess 84 is rectangular in shape as viewed from the front (Fig. 8)but has sloping end walls 58| and lilla (Fig. 3) terminating in parallelstraight walls |8|b and I8 Ic at the bottom of the recess. A die backingblock 85 is positioned in the bottom of said recess 84. Against saidbacking block is positioned a die holder 85, which is held in place insaid recess by a wedge-shaped block 8l (Figs. 3 and 8). A bolt 88extends through said Wedge 8l and backing plate 85 and one end is heldin a countersunk recess 89 in the casting 83. The other end of said bolt88 is threaded to receive a nut 9|, adapted to lie in a recess 92 in theface of said wedge 8l. By screwing up the nut 9| the assembled elementsmay be wedgingly held in the recess 84.

The die holder 88 is provided with one cylindrical opening into whichfits a heading die holder 93 and with a second cylindrical opening inwhich is positioned a cut-olf die holder 94 (Figs. 3, 7 and` 8). SaidVcut-off die holder 94 is aligned with an opening 95 in the backingblock 85 forming a continuation of the bore of the tube 82.

A cut-off die 98 (Fig. 7) is held within said holder 94 by means ofscrews 91 threaded thereinto.

Said cut-off die 95 (Figs. '7 and 9) comprises a member having asegmental cylindrical surface in alignment with the correspondinglycurved surface of the opening 95 in the plate 85. The segmentalcylindrical strip 8| passes through the aperture 95 and between thesegmental cylindrical wall of the cut-off die 95 and a complementarilyformed wall of the holder 94. As the segmental cylindrical strip 8|passes between the wall of the holder 94 and the cut-olf die 98, it issnugly held against lateral movement, although free to move in thedirection of its length. A stop |02 (Figs. 1 and 3) serves to limit thelengthwise movement of the strip 8|.

Said stop |82 is carried on the offset arm |03 of a bar |84 whichextends through the casting 83. The outer end of said bar |84 isthreaded to receive a nut |85 which may be threaded up against a plate|85. The plate |88 is bolted to the casting 83 by means of a bolt Theoffset end |83 of said bar |94 extends into a recess |88 formed in the.casting 83 and serves to position the stop member |82 in alignment withthe stripV 8| as it projects beyond the end of the cut-off die 96.

While the end of the segmental cylindrical strip 8| is so positionedagainst the end of the stop |02, a cut-off knife, indicated generally bythe reference numeral |09 (Figs. 3, 7, 8 and 9) is moved to sever saidprojected end. Said cut-off knife |09 is secured by means of a bolt I||in the recessed end |I2 of the reciprocally mounted bar II3. A pair ofscrews I I4 secure a pair of arcuately shaped spring ngers |I5, whichextend sufficiently beyond the cutting edge of the knife |09 to hold asevered blank I I6 thereagainlst while the blank is being moved to theheading die holder 93. As best shown in Fig. 9, the cutting edge. IIS)of the cut-off knife |09 is semi-circular in outline to conform with thecurvature of the blank I I 6. The ends of the spring fingers I I areslightly flared outwardly, as at IIB, and are so spaced from theVcutting edge |I8 of the knife |09 as to lightly engage the end edges ofthe blank ||6 to hold said blank against said cutting edge duringfurther movement of the cut-off knife.

Movement of the bar ||3 carrying the cut-off knife |09 is effected bymechanism that will now be. described. Said bar ||3 extends through abushing positioned in the casting 83 and also through a guide block I2Isecured to said casting 83, as by means of bolts |22 (Fig. 2). The barII3, which is square or rectangular in cross section, carries on itsupper face a roller |23 (Figs. 2 and 3) which projects into a cam slot|24 formed in a plunger |25 that moves within the guide block I2I in theguideway |26. Said roller |23 is carried by a pin I 21 that extendsthrough an elongated slot |28 in the bar I I3 and through a plate |29mounted on the top face of the bar II3. Said plate |29 is movable withina recessed guideway |30 formed in the bottom of the guideway |26. A bolt|3| extends axially through said bar I|3 and threads into the pin |21,thereby providing for adjustment of said pin I 21 in the. elongated slot|28 lengthwise of the bar |I3.

The plunger |25 (Figs. 1 and 2) is pivotally connected as at |32 to aneccentric arm |33, which in turn is connected Ato an eccentric pin |34carried by a disk |35 secured to a face plate |36 on the shaft 28. Asthe shaft 2B revolves, by virtue of the gears 21 and 25 connecting it tothe driving shaft 22, the eccentric pin |34 and eccentric arm |33 imparta reciprocating movement to the plunger 25. The limits of the throw ofthe plunger |25 may be adjusted without changing the length of itsstroke by means of a threaded adjusting member |31 forming a part ofthe. eccentric arm |33. Adjustment of the stroke is permitted by varyingthe eccentricity of the eccentric pin |34. Said pin extends through anelongated slot |38 in said plate |35 and is adjustable therein by meansof a bolt |39. The plate is further adjustable with respect to the faceplate |36 by virtue of the elongated slots |40 and bolts I4I extendingtherethrough.

It will be obvious that as the plunger |25 moves forward (toward theyleft as viewed in Figs. 1 to 3), the roller |23 is caused to follow thecam slot |24 and advance the bar I I3 carrying the cut-off knife |09 tosevering position. As the plunger |25 moves in the opposite direction,the cam slot |24 in conjunction with the roller |23 retracts the knife|09 to bring it into position for another operation.

Describing now the die. forming mechanism, the die holder 93 positionedwithin the block 86 is provided with a cylindrical recess |42, in whichare mounted the lock forming die and blank side of the upsetting die,comprising (Figs. '1, 8 and 10) a pair of semi-cylindrical members I 43and |44. Said members |43 and |44 are provided with enlarged,complementary semi-cylindrical recesses forming a recess I 45 in theirrear faces and with axially formed recesses providing a oylindrical bore|41. The end portion of said bore |41 provided by the die |44 isoutwardly ared toward the working face of said die |44 to provide asegmental frusto-conical recess |48 for receiving a lock blank I|6 tobe' upset. The die block |43 is provided with a restricted segmentalcylindrical groove or recess |49, at the junction of which and thecylindrical bore |41 there is formed a shoulder |50.

Asbest shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a' die core, indicated generally by thereference numeral I5I,

is positioned within the recess |45 with its end extending through thebore |41. Said die core is provided with a cylindrical head |52 that ismovable within the cylindrical recess |45. Said die core |5| includes anenlarged cylindrical post I 53 having an arcuate cut away portion |54from which extends a coaxial post |55 of reduced diameter. The diameterof the enlarged portion |53 is substantially that of the cylindricalbore portion I 41, While the diameter of the post |55 is substantiallythat of the segmental cylindrical bore |497. The enlarged portion |53 isso proportioned that when the headed end |52 abuts against the end wall|56 of the recess |45, the shoulder |51, formed between the reduceddiameter post |55 and said enlarged portion |53, forms the bottom of thefrusto-conical recess |48. The cut away portion |54 permits the forwardmovement of the die core I5I, since it provides clearance between saidenlarged portion |53 and the shoulder |50, so that the head |52 .can bemoved forward until it abuts the forward wall |56 of the recess |45. Themechanism for so moving the die core |5I will now be described. Thismechanism includes a knock-out rod |51 that is slidable in a guide |58(Fig. 3) extending through the casting 83 and in alignment with acylindrical bore |59 provided in the backing block 85 and die holder 93.The rod |51 has an end |60 of reduced diameter and of the same diameteras the. cylindrical bore |59. A knock-out pin |6| is positioned ahead ofthe reduced end |60 in the bore` |59.

Movement of the knock-out rod |51 is effected by means of a knock-outlever |62 carried by a vertical pin |63 (Figs. l and 3). The other endof the knock-out lever |62 extends into the path of a plunger |64forming part of an eccentric arm |65. Said eccentric arm |65 isconnected to an eccentric pin |66 carried by a disk |61 bolted to theend of the drive shaft 22. The eccentric arm |65 is connected at itsother end to the plunger |64 by means of apin |68. The plunger |64 ismounted for reciprocal movement in the knockout slide |69. The length oftravel of said plunger .|64 may be adjusted by means of a threadedintermediate portion |6511 in the eccentric arm |65, whereby said armmay be shortened or lengthcned.

It will thus be apparent that as the drive shaft 22 is revolved, theplunger |64 will be moved into contact with one end of the knock-outlever |52, causing said lever to rock upo-n the shaft |63 to vbring theother end of said lever into Contact with the knock-out rod |51, asshown in Fig. 3. Further movement of said knock-out lever |62 causes theknock-out rod |51 to be advanced into the position shown in full linesin Fig. 7,'wherein the knock-out pin I6| has moved the die core |5| intoposition for receiving a semi-cylindrical blank I6, preparatory to theupsetting or heading operation. Said semi-cylindrical blank I6 ts snuglyabout the reduced end |55 of the die core and up against the shoulder|51.

While in this position, a heading die, indicated generally by thereference numeral |10 (Figs. 3 and '7) is moved from its retractedposition to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. '1. Said headingdie comprises a punch holder |1| positioned within a bracket |12 andsecured therein by means of a pin |18. The bracket |12 is in turnsecured to or formed integral with an adjusting block |14 carried by across-head |15.

Said cross-head |15 is slidably mounted in a pair of guides |18 (Fig. 1)secured by means of bolts |11 to the top of the frame 20. A pitman |18is pivotally connected to said cross-head |15 by means of a pin |19 andat its other end is connected to a crank arm formed on the driving shaft22. Rotation of the driving shaft 22 thus eifects a reciprocal movementof the crosshead |15 within the guideways |18 to advance and retract thedie punch holder mechanism |10.

The die punch holder 11| is recessed at its end, as at 18|, to receive apunch |82. Said punch |82 is provided with an axially extending bore |83of the same diameter as the diameter of the reduced end |55 of the diecore |5|. The face |84 of said punch |82 forms an annular projectionhaving an outside diameter substantially that of the frusto-conicalrecess |48 in the die element |44.v The working face |84, when the punchholder is advanced, rst engages the end of the semi-cylindrical blank |8and then upon continued forward movement, forces the die core back intothe recess |45 until the rear face of the die core is in abutmentagainst the wall of the die holder 93 at the bottom of the recess |42.Further forward movement of the punch causes the semi-cylindrical blankl5 to be upset 4against the shoulder |51 4of the die core to ll thesegmental frusto-conical recess |48. The amount of metal in the blank||6 is just suiicient to ll said recess |48 when the blank is upset toform a Valve spring retainer lock, thus eliminating any n or waste ofmetal. The resulting finished collar or valve spring retainer lock,indicated by the reference numeral (Fig. 12) has a substantially halfcylindrical inner wall |88 and a frustoconical outer wall |81, thelength of the nished collar or lock being substantially the same as thelength of the segmental cylindrical blank IIB.

After the upsetting of the segmental cylindrical blank I8 has beencompleted and the punch has been withdrawn, the knock-out lever |62again operates to advance the knock-out rod |51 and pin |6| to advancethe die core |5| into position to discharge the iinished collar |85. Inorder t0 insure the finished collar being freed from the post |55 of thedie core, a stripping mechanism, indicated generally by the referencenumeral |88 is provided (Figs. 1, 2 and 8). Said stripping deviceincludes a sleeve |88 slidably mounted upon a shaft 200 and held againstrotating thereon by means of a key 20|. Said shaft is supported at itsends in brackets 282 and 203 bolted to the casting 83 of the framework.Said sleeve |89 is provided with a pair of spaced ears 204, betweenwhich extends an end of a bell crank 205. Said bell crank end isbifurcated as Yat 288 (Fig. 8) and between said bifurcated end 20E ismounted a roller 201 upon a pin 288.

The bell crank 285 is pivoted as at 209 about a pin secured to one ofthe guideways |18. The other end of the bell crank 205 is U-shaped, asat 2|8, to encompass a pin 2 il carrying a roller 2|2 mounted on saidpin from the gate or cross-head |15. Movement of' the cross head |15 isthus translated through the bell crank 205 to cause a reciprocatingmovement of the sleeve |99 on the cross shaft 200.

Said sleeve |99 has an integrally formed downwardly extending arm 2|3(Fig. 8) which moves along the vertical face of the casting 83. Said arm2 3 carries at its end a stripper 2 4, secured thereto by means of abolt 2|5. Said stripper is provided at its end with a U-shaped recess2|8 of a width substantially equal to the diameter of the die core post|55 and in alignment therewith, so that when the stripper 2|4 advances,the die core post |55 will be received by said recess 2|6 and thebifurcated end 2|1 of said stripper will engage with the end edges ofthe die formed collar |85 and disengage the same from said post |55.After being freed from said post |55, the finished collar may drop intoany suitable receptacle therefor.

The operation of the machine will now be described.

The rolled strip stock 48 which is fed in between the feed and formingrollers 34 and 35 is of an analysis suitable for use in the manufactureof valve spring retainer locks. Preferably the strip material 48 isobtained in a form having slightly rounded edges 220 (Fig. 12), althoughthat is not essential.

The feeding of the strip stock 48 between the feed rolls 34 and 35 isintermittent, as already eX- plained, through the action of theeccentric pin 38, eccentric rod 3| and clutch member 38. The action ofthe spring pressed rollers or balls 43 is to cause rotation of the innerclutch member 4| in one direction only. In order to insure against areverse movement of said clutch membei' 4|, a braking device, indicatedgenerally at 22| (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) is provided, comprising a springpressed roller or ball 222 mounted in a holder 223 and held against theouter periphery of the clutch member 4| by means of a plunger 224 and aspring 225.

Because of the gear connections 58-58 between the shafts 38 and 31 ofthe feed rolls 34 and 35, respectively, said feed and forming rolls aredriven together at the same speed and with the adjacent points of theirperipheries moving in the same direction. As the strip material 48`passes between said rolls 34 and 35, the lateral edges of the stripmaterial are bent upwardly to conform with the curvature of the rollperipheries 15 and 18, thereby converting the strip into a segmentalcylindrical strip 8|. The) forming pressure is controlled, as alreadyexplained, by means of the adjusting screw 10 that regulates the amountof spring pressure applied to the bearing 89 of the pivotally mountedshaft 31.

After passing beyond the forming rolls 34 and 35, the segmentalcylindrical strip 8| enters the guiding tube 82 and is moved forwardlyuntil its end abuts the stop |02. It will be understood of course, thatthe movement of the various mechanisms are so synchronized and soadjusted that the forward movement, during any intermittent feed of thestrip material 48 as caused by rotation of the feed rolls 34 and 35,will stop just at or about the time that the end of the strip 8| comesinto abutment against the stop |02. Preferably the feed of the rolls 34and 35 is slightly more than necessary to advance the strip 8| thedesired length of a blank, but slippage between the strip and the rollsoccurs to compensate for this after the end of the strip hits the stop|02.

When the strip 8| Vis in position against the abutment |02, and whilethe feed rolls 34 and 35 are at rest, the cut-off vknife |09 is advancedto sever a blank H8 from said strip end. As above described, themovement of the cut-off knife is brought aboutby the movement of theplunger |25 in the guideway |26 by virtue of the cam slot |24 in whichthe roller |23 secured to the cut-off knife bar ||3 travels. The timingof the movement of the cut-off knife |09 can be adjusted to synchronizewith the intermittent feed of the rolls 34 and 35 by adjusting theposition of the disk |35 with respect to the face plate |36 on the shaft28, and also by adjusting the position of the eccentric pin |34 in theelongated slot |38 and by adjusting the length of the eccentric arm |33by the threaded intermediate member |31.

As the cutting edge I8 of the cut-off knife |09 is moved into contactwith the end of the strip 8| to sever a blank H6 therefrom, the springfingers ||5 engage over the end edges of said blank I6 to hold thesevered blank in place during the continued forward movement of thecutoff knife |00. At the forward limit of its stroke, the cut-off knife|09 brings the severed blank i6 into engagement with the die core post|55.

At the time the cut-off knife moves the blank ||6 into position inengagement with the post |55 of the die core, with lsaid die core in itsforward position (Fig. '1) the punch mechanism |10 also moves forward tocause the face |84 of the punch to engage the end of the blank I6. Whilethe punch holds the blank against the shoulder |51, the cut-off knife iswithdrawn, theV spring fingers H5 releasingv the blank. The continuedforward throw of the pitman |18 immediately thereafter moves the crosshead |15 to bring the punch 10 into the position shown in dotted linesin Fig. '1. The working face |84 of the punch |82 presses against theend edge of the blank H6 and forces the die core into position at thebottom of the recess |45. Further movement of the punch effects theupsetting or heading operation to convert the blank H8l into the form ofthe finished collar |85. There should be justa slight clearance betweenthe edge of the frustoconical recess |48 and the outer edge of the punchface |84 to permit any slight excess of metal in ,the recess to flowout. It is not necessary, however, to trim or machine the formed collarsince such excess of metalwould be along the outside edge of the collarand therefore not objectionable.

After the blank has been upset and the punch |10 retracted, theknock-out rod |51 is operated rby the knock-out lever |62 to force thedie core into its projected position. As the die core |5| is movedoutwardly, the shoulder |51 brings the formed collar out of thefrusto-conical recess |48 into the discharge position. The strippermechanism |83 thereupon operates to knock the formed collar from thepost |55 into a receptacle (not vided with a cylindrical post 221 havingone or more segmental grooves v228 formed'in its Working Vface andlextending transversely thereof. Consequently, when a blank is upset inthe manner already described, a portion of the metal of the blank, asindicated at 229, will flow into theA groove or grooves 228 to formtransverse beads. A finished valve spring retainer lock 230 will thus beproduced having a frusto-conical outer surface and a segmentalcylindrical inner surface with one or more beads 229 extendingtransversely along said inner surface. i

Although this inventionr has been described as being particularlyapplicable to the manufacture of valve spring retainer locks, it will beunderstood that collars, bearing members and the like of the generalshape of the valve spring retainer locksrdisclosed, or a shape somewhatsimilar thereto, may be made in a machine of my invention. Other shapesand forms of heading dies and punches may be substituted to obtainspecific shapes or forms of the nished article.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction may be varied through a wide range without departing fromthe principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purposelimitingA the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitatedrby theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of making valve spring retainer locks, whichcomprisesintermittently rolling a continuous flat band of metal into a length-Wise extending segmental cylindrical shape, severing said rolled bandinto blanks of the length of the finished collar and upsetting saidblanks endwise to form collars having frusto-conical outer surfaces andsegmental cylindrical inne-r surfaces.

2. The method of making valve spring retainer locks, which comprisesintermittently rolling a continuous flat band of metal into a lengthwiseextending segmental cylindrical shape, severing said rolled band intoblanks of the length of Ythe nished collar and upsetting said blanksendwise to form collars having frusto-conical outer surfaces andsegmental cylindrical inner surfaces while simultaneously forming atransverse bead on said inner surface.

3. In a machine for making valve spring re-v for upsetting said blanksto form collars having frusta-conical outer surfaces and segmentalcylindrical inner surfaces, driving means associated with said machine,and means for actuating said rollers Vand said first and second namedmeans and said device by said driving means.r

4. In a machine for making valve spring retainer locks, means forforming-a flat metal strip into a segmental cylindrical strip, means forsevering said strip to form blanks, a die stamping device for upsettingsaid blanks to form collars having frusto-conical outer surfaces andsegmental cylindrical inner surfaces, driving means, and means operativeby said driving means for actuating said forming and severing meansv andsaid device. 1 e

5. In a machine for making valve springl re'- tainerlocks, a pair ofdriven feed rollshaving cooperating convexand concave peripheralsurfaces, means for urging said surfaces toward each other, meansforrdriving one of Vsaid rolls to feed l flat strip materialtherethrough, means'for severing said strip material to form blanks, diemeans for upsetting said blanks, means for liberating said upset blanksfrom said die means, driving means, and means operative by said drivingmeans for actuating said rolls and said severing means and said diemeans.

6. In a machine for making valve spring retainer locks, a pair of feedrolls having cooperating convex and concave peripheral surfaces, meansfor driving one of said feed rolls to feed flat strip materialtherebetween, means for urging said rolls together to bend said flatstrip material into segmental cylindrical shape, means for severing saidsegmental cylindrical strip material into blanks, means for upsettingsaid blanks endwise to form collars having frustoconical outer surfacesand cylindrical inner surfaces, driving means, and connections operativeby said driving means for actuating said one roll, said'urging means,said severing means and said upsetting means.

7. In a machine for making valve spring retainer locks, a pair of feedrolls having cooperating convex and concave peripheral surfaces, meansfor driving one of said feed rolls to feed flat strip materialtherebetween, means for urging said rolls together to bend said at stripmaterial into segmental cylindrical shape, means for severing saidsegmental cylindrical strip material into blanks, die means forupsetting said blanks endwise to form collars having frustoconical outersurfaces and cylindrical inner surfaces-means for liberating saidcollars from said die means, a driving shaft, and connections betweensaid shaft and said aforesaid means for actuating all of said means insynchronized order.

8. In a machine for making valve spring retainer locks, a pair of feedrolls having cooperating convex and concave-f. peripheral surfaces,means for intermittently driving one of said feed rolls to feed flatstrip material therebetween, resilient means for urging said rolls t0-gether to bend said flat strip material into segmental cylindricalshape, means for severing said segmental cylindrical strip material intoblanks, means for upsetting said blanks endwise to form collars havingfrusto-conical outer surfaces and cylindrical inner surfaces, a drivingshaft, and

`connections between said shaft and said aforesaid means for actuatingthe same in synchronized order.

9. Inapparatus for making valve spring retainer locks from segmentalcylindrical blanks, die mechanism comprising a die having a cylindricalbore therein, said bore having a segmental frusto-conical enlargement atone end, a die core within said bore having a reduced cylindrical endportion forming a shoulder, a punch having a bore for receiving saidreduced end portion, and means for moving said punch to upset a blankagainst said shoulder between the wall of said frusto-conicalenlargement and said reduced end.

10. In apparatus for making valve spring re'- tainer locks fromsegmental cylindrical blanks, a die having a segmental frusto-conicalopening, a die core cooperating therewith, and a'punch for upsetting asegmental'cylindrical blank within said opening to form a lock having asegmental cylindrical inner wall and a frusto-conical outer wall.

1l. In apparatus for making valve spring retainer locks from segmentalcylindrical blanks, a die having a segmental frusto-conical opening, adie core cooperating therewith having a shoulder and a cylindrical4reduced end extending therebeyond, and a punch for upsetting asegmental cylindrical blank within said opening against said shoulder toform a lock having a segmentall cylindrical inner wall and afrustoconical outer wall.

l2. In apparatus for making valve spring retainer locks from segmentalcylindrical blanks, a. die having a segmental frusto-conical opening, adie core cooperating therewith, a punch for upsetting a segmentalcylindrical blank within said opening toy form a lock having a segmentalcylindrical inner wall and a frusto-conical outer wall, and a knock-outmechanism for moving said die core to bring the lock out of saidopening.

13. In apparatus for making valve spring retainer locks from segmentalcylindrical blanks, a die having a segmental frusto-conical opening, adie core cooperating therewith, a punch for upsetting a segmentalcylindrical blank within said opening to form a'lock having a segmentalcylindrical inner wall and a frusto-conical outer wall, a knock-outmechanism for moving said die core to bring the lock out of saidopening, and means for stripping said lock from said die core.

14. A die core comprising an enlarged head, a cylindrical post extendingtherefrom having a reduced end forming la segmental cylindrical shoulderand a cut-away shoulder extending from said first shoulder back towardssaid head.

l5. A knife comprising a blade having a segmental cylindrical cuttingend and spring iingers curved to provide flared ends for lightly holdinga collar against said cutting end.

16. A cut-off die assembly comprising a die holder having a cylindricalbore and a die mounted therein having a segmental cylindrical wallconcentric with said borey to provide a segmental cylindrical spacetherebetween` for the passage of segmental cylindrical strip material.

17. A cut-off die assembly comprising a die holder having a cylindricalbore, a die mounted therein having a segmental cylindrical wallconcentricwith said bore to provide a segmental cylindrical spacetherebetween for the passage of segmental cylindrical strip material anda cut-off knife movable across the end face of said die to sever a blankfrom said strip.

18. In a machine for severing and upsetting blanks from strip material,a pair of feeding and forming rolls toy roll said strip material, meansfor severing a blank therefrom, die means for upsetting said blanks, andmeans operated by a common source of power for actuating said rolls andsaid aforesaid means.

19. In a machine for severing and upsetting blanks from strip material,a pair of feeding and forming rolls to roll said strip material, meansfor severing a blank therefrom, die means for upsetting said blanks,means for knocking out the upset blanks from upsetting position, andmeans operated by a common source of power for actuating said rolls andsaid aforesaid means.

20. In a machine for severing and upsetting blanks from strip material,a pair of feeding and forming rolls to roll said strip material, meansfor severing a blank therefrom, die means for upsetting said blanks,means for knocking out the upset blanks from upsetting position, meansfor stripping said upset blanks from said die means, and means operatedby a common source of power for actuating said rolls and said aforesaidmeans.

21. In a machine for severing and upsetting blanks from strip material,a pair of feeding and forming rolls to roll said strip material; meansfor severing a blank therefrom; die means for upsetting said blanks;means for knocking outthe upset blanks from upsetting position; meansfor stripping said upset blanks from said die means; a driving shaft andmeans operative by said shaft for actuating said rolls, severing means,upsetting die means, knock out means, and stripping means.

22. Apparatus for making valve spring retainer locks, comprising a pairof feed rolls having cooperating convex and concave peripheral surfaces,means for driving one of said feed rolls to feed iiat strip materialtherebetween, means for urging said rolls together to bend said flatstrip material in a segmental cylindrical shape, means for severing saidsegmental cylindrical strip material into blanks, die means forupsetting said blanks endwise to form collars having frustoconicaloute-r surfaces and cylindrical inner surfaces, means actuating saidroll driving means and said severing means and eective to stop advanceo-f the formed stripand cause movement of the severing means to sever ablank from said strip While it rests, said severing means being providedwith means to grasp a severed blank of the strip and present it to saiddie means i after the severing operation, and means for liberating saidcollars from said die means.

23. Apparatus for severing and upsetting blanks from strip material,including a pair of feeding and forming rolls to feed and shape suchstrip material, means for severing a blank from the shaped stripmaterial, means actuating said rolls and said severing means to causecessation of the feed during the severing operation, diev means forupsetting said blanks, and said severing means being adapted to graspand move a blank from severing position Vand present it to said diemeans.

24. Apparatus for severing and upsetting blanks from strip material,including a pair of feeding and forming rolls to feed and shape suchstrip material, means for severing a blank from the shaped stripmaterial, means actuating said rolls and said severing means andeffective to cause cessation of the feed during the severing operation,die means for upsetting said blanks, said severing means being adaptedto grasp and move a blank from severing position and present it to saiddie means, and means actuated after the die operation has been completedfor knocking out an upset blank from upsetting position and forstripping said upset blank from said die.

25. In an apparatus of the class described, a main drive, means forfeeding a flat strip of material and forming it into substantiallysegmental cylindrical shape, means for intermittently actuating saidfeed means from said main drive, means operated by said main drive forsevering a blank from the formed strip While said feed means are atrest, said last mentioned means being adapted to grasp a severed blank,die means operable from said main drive for upsetting said blankendvvise to form a collar having a frustoconical outer surface and acylindrical inner surface, and said severing means being adapted to movea grasped blank from severing position to said die means While said feedmeans are at rest.

26. In a machine of the class described including a pair of cooperatinggrooving rollers and means for urging said rollers together to form a atstrip passing therebetween into a transversely curved strip and meansfor severing said strip to form blanks, the combination of die meansreceiving said blanks from said severing means, and a punch mechanismcooperating with said die. means to form said blanks.

27. In a machine of the class described including a pair of cooperatinggrooving rollers and means for urging said rollers together to form aflat strip passing therebetween into a transversely curved strip andmeans for severing said strip to form blanks characterized by theprovision of die and punch means receiving said blanks from saidsevering means to thereby shape said blanks in finished form, thecombination of die means receiving said blanks from said severing means,and a punch mechanism cooperating with said die means to form saidblanks.

OTTO R. SCI-IOENROCK.

